Linoleum Buyer's Guide

Installation Options

Do-It-Yourself (DIY) Rating: [On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being easiest]
5: Requires special skills and tools. Professional installation is recommended. It is stiffer and less flexible than most vinyl sheet, requiring more skill to cut and handle.

Like any resilient floor, linoleum must be installed over a clean, smooth and dry surface. Linoleum can be installed over most subfloors including concrete, bearing in mind:

• The moisture emission rate of concrete should not exceed the linoleum manufacturer's recommended limits. This can be determined using a calcium chloride test.
• The concrete pH should not exceed 10. A high pH can ruin the adhesive.
• It's best to conduct a bond test as well. If the concrete has a sealer on it, it will interfere with the adhesive.

These precautions are of even greater importance in a basement, where moisture is frequently an issue. In a full bathroom (an application which is not recommended by some manufacturers), edges should be sealed with silicone caulk.

Linoleum seams must be sealed to keep out dirt and moisture. The two seaming methods are:

• Heat-weld: A color-coordinated linoleum rod is melted with a specialized welding tool to create the seam. The resulting seam becomes part of the design, as well as providing a functional role for the floor.
• Adhesive: A specialty seam adhesive is used to bond the floor edges to each other and seal the seams.

The two seaming methods create options in the floor's look, the installed cost and durability.

Keep In Mind:

• Linoleum tends to grow in width and shrink in length. A skilled professional who understands how to install linoleum to compensate for linoleum's natural properties is recommended.